They don’t like each other…’ Jim Furyk on shock pairing split at Presidents Cup

Jim Furyk Defends Decision to Break Up Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay for Presidents Cup Opening Fourballs

United States Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk has addressed the surprising move to split up the successful pairing of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay for the opening fourballs session at Royal Montreal Golf Club. Known for their strong partnership and camaraderie, Schauffele and Cantlay have traditionally been a formidable team since their debut in the 2019 Presidents Cup. They boast a combined 6-5-0 record across both the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, making Furyk’s decision a notable departure from the expected.

At a press conference held on Wednesday, Furyk, 54, light-heartedly suggested that the two “just don’t really like each other anymore” when asked about the unexpected decision. However, he quickly clarified that the real reason was strategic, emphasizing the need to maximize the team’s potential on the course. “We’re trying to get the best five groups out there on the golf course,” Furyk explained, indicating that the choice was based on consultations with his assistants and the team’s statistical analysis rather than any personal discord between Schauffele and Cantlay.

Both Furyk and International captain Mike Weir, accompanied by their assistant captains, revealed their pairings for Thursday’s fourball matches during the announcement. In a surprising move, Schauffele was paired with Tony Finau, while Cantlay was partnered with Sam Burns for the final match of the session.

Schauffele and Finau will face the International team’s Jason Day and Ben An in the first match. Meanwhile, Cantlay and Burns will go up against Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners in the last of the fourball contests. Furyk’s strategy reflects a careful balancing act, aiming to optimize the overall performance of his team on the challenging course in Canada.

Despite the reshuffling, Furyk downplayed any speculation of a rift between Schauffele and Cantlay, reaffirming their friendship and excellent teamwork. “We know those guys play all their practice rounds together, they’re great friends, they get along very well,” Furyk stated. He reiterated that the decision was purely tactical, aimed at creating the most effective combinations for the team as a whole.

The announcement set the stage for an exciting first day of competition, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage. Below are the full pairings for the Thursday fourballs:

**Fourballs Matches: 26 September**

**Team USA:**
1. Xander Schauffele & Tony Finau
2. Collin Morikawa & Sahith Theegala
3. Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley
4. Wyndham Clark & Keegan Bradley
5. Patrick Cantlay & Sam Burns

**Team International:**
1. Jason Day & Ben An
2. Adam Scott & Min Woo Lee
3. Sungjae Im & Tom Kim
4. Taylor Pendrith & Christiaan Bezuidenhout
5. Hideki Matsuyama & Corey Conners

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the performances of these reconfigured pairings. While Furyk’s decision may have raised eyebrows, the outcome on the course will ultimately determine whether the strategy pays off in Team USA’s favor.